Don't miss out on Bob Gill's FAMOUS etouffee!

It's a great deal - only $12 for all the etouffee and gumbo you can eat, cooked up by Bob Gill using his secret family recipe.

It's all happening SATURDAY, MARCH 1st at 6:00 PM!

Miami 948 Honors 206th Military Intelligence Batallion

On Sunday, February 10th, 2008 members of Miami Elks Lodge #948 attended the Change of Command ceremony of the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion. The Commander of the unit changed from Lt. Colonel Authur C. VanDesande to Lt. Colonel Clifford R. Lockwood. Lt. Colonel Vandesande was the commander of the unit during their tour of duty in Iraq. After the Change of Command Lt. Colonel VanDesande received the Meritorious Service Medal and an award for excellence in the field of Military Intelligence. During the awards presentation ceremony Miami Elks Lodge #948 presented the unit with a plaque of appreciation for their dedication and sacrifice to the citizens of the United States. The following is the inscription on the plaque:

Presented to the Men and Women of the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion this 10th day of February, 2008.

In recognition, appreciation and gratitude for your courage, service and sacrifice to the United States of America. Your dedicated observance of duty is an inspiration to all our citizens. We are proud to support you with the same commitment as you support the Flag of our country and the Liberties we hold so dear.

Past Exalted Ruler Jeffrey Muehlfeld presents plaque to the outgoing commander of the 260th MIB.

As a lodge we can be justifiably proud to have supported the men and women of the 260th during their tour of duty of in Iraq. We can also be proud of the members of our lodge who donated money to the unit. At the ceremony the unit also received a check for $1,500 from the Lodge. The unit Commnader told me the money would be used for morale building events for the troops. Our thanks again to the 260th Military Intelligence Battalion for inviting us to their Change of Command ceremony and for their bravery and sacrifice while abroad. We wish all the members of the unit the best of luck in their future endeavors, and Godspeed in their upcoming missions.

The Change of Command Ceremony



Exalted Rule Elect Milton Muller, Past Exalted Ruler Jeffrey Muehlfeld, Exalted Ruler Bob Gill

Capt. Ron Cruz receives the Exalted Ruler's pin from ER Bob Gill (left) and Jack Lopez. Capt. Cruz was Lt. Stephan Gonzalez' roommate while in Iraq.


Lodge Chaplain Nivia Myers and Exalted Ruler Elect Milton Muller.

Jeff Muehlfeld, PER and Jack Lopez






Jack Lopez, Capt. Ron Cruz, Jeff Muehlfeld - PER

Al Reker - PDDGER, Milton Muller - Exalted Ruler Elect

Many thanks to Janis Taylor, Sandy Howard, Barbara Reker, Tyler Reker, Edie Case Darus and her son Allen Case (Coast Guard) for attending the ceremony also.

I personally want to offer a special thanks to the people listed below. Their contributions made it possible to purchase the plaque and to present a check in the amount of $1,500 to the 260th for their use. Thank you so much - Jeff Muehlfeld, PER.

Jim and Florence Allen
Bill Bang
James Bickel P.E.R.
Nathaniel and Janet Barone
Edna Camacho
Mark and Gilda Crow
Harry Deveaux
Bob and Barbara Gill
William Henderson
Jack and Lina Lopez
Jeffrey Muehlfeld and Janis Taylor
Mike and Nivia Myers
Nivia Myers and June Chislet
David and Marie Grime
Felix Quinones
Nicholas and Nisla Lamis
Virginia DiCristafaro
Sheila Dowd
Pat and Sandy Howard
George and Yvethe Moro
Susan Myers
Art and Mickey Rauch
Al and Barbara Reker
Robert and Charlotte Schmidt
Gunther and Lee Weigel
Bill and Kathy Beauregard
Heliana and Harvey Brown
Elsa Bishop
Edie Case Darus
Oscar and Pat Erice
Wade and Betty Fisk
Angela Maltzman
Jack Serig
Joanne Weir
Edward and Hila Ann Westpe
Bea Castro
William and Amparo Del Toro
LaDonna Grubbs
Louise Kaplan
Anita Klimek
Milton and Barbara Muller
Marcie Arrendale
Gloria Townsend
Barbara “Bobbi” Wooster

James A. Cox, PPDGER Services

Below is the information on services for Jim Cox (James A. Cox)

Viewing and Elks Service

Tuesday - February 26, 2008
Viewing between 6:00 - 11:00 PM
Elks Service 8:00 PM
Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Funeral Home
11655 SW 117 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33186
(305) 238-3672

The family has requested the following: In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Jim's name to Harry Anna Trust Fund. South Miami Coral Gables Lodge Officers will be on hand collecting checks payable to Harry Anna Trust Fund, we will mail checks weekly as they come. See any officer or you can drop the checks at:

South Miami Coral Gables Elks Lodge
6304 SW 78 Street
Miami, Fl 33143


Funeral and Burial Service

Wednesday February 27, 2008 at 9:30 AM.
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
12125 SW 107 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33176

Thank you all lets unite and celebrate Jim's Life.

Elkette's Annual Sweetheart Ball

The Elkettes did a great job hosting this year's Sweetheart Ball on Saturday evening, February 16. The lemon chicken and filet mignon were fabulous, the decorations were beautiful and everyone had a good time dancing to the Swingables.



Our 2008 Sweetheart - Edie Case.

Edie was responsible for the gorgeous decorations around the bar.

Happy Birthday, Mike! I won't say how old you are, but I will say you do NOT look your age!

If anyone else has pictures to share, please send them along and I'll post them to the blog - or you can request an account and post your own announcements or pictures. Just email me at jcalypso@bellsouth.net. Thanks! - Janis

260th Military Intellegence Battalion

The Commander of the Florida Army National Guard’s
260th Military Intelligence Battalion cordially invites you and your guest to the Change of Command Ceremony at which Lieutenant Colonel Arthur C. VanDesande
will be succeeded by Lieutenant Colonel Clifford R. Lockwood on Sunday, the tenth of February at two o’clock p.m., at the

Robert A. Ballard Armory

700 NorthWest 28th Street

Miami, Florida 33127

R.S.V.P. 305-536-0224

Dress
Military: ACU
Civilian: Business Attire

Jeff

It's all about LOVE - and no waiting!

Where else can you take your significant other on Valentine's Day and enjoy a sumptuous dinner complete with a complimentary glass of wine and not have to wait for a table? Ed and his staff are pulling out all the stops to make your celebration special so make your reservations now.

Saturday Night at the 948

Hello --- as the song starts
"What is Love!" well Love was Saturday Night at Miami Lodge 948 listening to the ever popular Elktones. The band played 3 sets of classic rock and roll and let me tell you guys the folks were all over the floor dancing! Yes you heard that right on a Saturday Night people were dancing in the lounge! Best part was NO COVER CHARGE! Great music, great friends and good drinks! I would run down who was dancing all over the place but that would ruin the video - coming to a You Tube near you!

Good going Miami Lodge I hope more Tones are seen playing...